The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially removed Mathematics as a compulsory requirement for students seeking admission into Arts and Humanities programmes in tertiary institutions across the country. The new directive was announced in the recently released National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions by the Ministry of Education.

Before now, Mathematics and English Language were mandatory subjects for all candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, regardless of their chosen field. However, under the new policy, only English Language remains compulsory for all candidates, while Mathematics will now be required solely for applicants in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Social Sciences.

The Ministry explained that the move aims to eliminate unnecessary barriers that have hindered many talented students from pursuing their preferred courses. It noted that several disciplines in the Arts and Humanities do not rely heavily on mathematical skills, and insisting on Mathematics as a core requirement had unfairly restricted access to higher education for many qualified candidates.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated that the decision aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable education system. He added that the reform is designed to broaden access, promote academic diversity, and support students according to their areas of strength.

The new guideline applies to all categories of higher education institutions in Nigeria, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and innovation enterprise institutions. While the announcement has been met with excitement among many students and educators in the Arts, some education analysts have called for careful monitoring to ensure that academic standards are not compromised.

Overall, the policy marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s education system and is expected to ease the admission process for thousands of prospective students who excel in the humanities but have struggled with Mathematics.

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has stepped down from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, citing the need to safeguard his integrity and prevent distractions to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Presidency confirmed Nnaji’s resignation on Tuesday, following heightened public scrutiny over allegations of certificate forgery and inconsistencies in his academic records.

In a statement released the same day, Nnaji said his decision came after “careful reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.” He described the claims as part of a “sustained campaign of falsehood” that he believes is politically motivated, aimed at undermining both his character and office.

“These baseless allegations and media distortions have caused personal distress and begun to distract from the important work of the ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Nnaji emphasized that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt, but rather as a personal choice to uphold due process and allow judicial proceedings to take their course.

“I cannot, in good conscience, allow these distractions to overshadow the noble objectives of the Tinubu administration,” he added, reaffirming his decades-long record of dedication and service.

Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji’s tenure ended amid investigations into alleged procurement irregularities and a public dispute with the Enugu State Government over the certificate forgery allegations.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has blamed the deteriorating security situation in the state on the legacy of the 2018 Offa bank robbery, linking the incident to the leadership of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking with journalists during a visit to Oke-Ode, the governor accused Saraki of “playing politics with security” and urged him to take responsibility for the tragic robbery incident that claimed 33 lives before criticising the current administration.

> “It was under PDP. Bukola Saraki bears a court statement that he is the leader of PDP in Kwara. Under his leadership, 33 people were killed in one day,” AbdulRazaq said in a viral video.

The governor further alleged that the armed gang behind the deadly robbery were Saraki’s loyalists, claiming they used “Aso Ebi of Saraki’s wedding” and vehicles branded with his name during the operation. He maintained that the PDP lacked the moral authority to challenge his government’s efforts in tackling insecurity.

In September 2024, a Kwara State High Court delivered judgement on the case, sentencing five suspects to death by hanging after finding them guilty of armed robbery and culpable homicide.
The convicts — Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham — were part of the gang responsible for the massacre.

Meanwhile, several communities in Kwara South and Central, including Oke-Ode, Patigi, and Marri, continue to suffer repeated attacks by armed gangs, leading to rising fear among residents and mass displacement from rural areas.